923 companies apply to final 2025 EIC Accelerator cut-off requesting nearly €7 billion
- ›The EIC Accelerator received 923 full applications for the 1 October 2025 cut-off requesting almost €7 billion.
- ›Blended finance remains in strong demand with 683 applicants, or 74 percent, requesting grants combined with equity.
- ›One third of proposals came from women-led companies and applicants span 32 countries including 12 widening countries.
- ›Proposals will be evaluated by independent experts, shortlisted companies will pitch between 19 and 23 January 2026, and final funding decisions are expected by the end of February 2026.
- ›This was the last Accelerator cut-off in 2025. New full application dates will be set in the 2026 EIC work programme expected in early November 2025. Short applications are accepted at any time.
EIC Accelerator final 2025 cut-off attracts 923 full applications
The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency reported that 923 start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises submitted full applications to the EIC Accelerator for the 1 October 2025 cut-off. Collectively the applicants requested close to seven billion euros in funding. The data point to continuing strong demand for the Accelerator and in particular for blended finance packages that combine non repayable grants with equity investments.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
| Full applications | 923 | Cut-off date 1 October 2025 |
| Total budget requested | Almost €7 billion | Aggregate amount requested by applicants |
| Applicants requesting blended finance | 683 (74%) | Grant combined with equity investment |
| Women-led proposals | 33% | Defined as CEO, CTO or CSO |
| Countries represented | 32 | Includes 12 widening countries |
| Top applicant countries | Germany, Spain, France | Highest numbers of participating companies |
How the process will move from applications to funding decisions
According to the EIC announcement, submitted proposals will be evaluated by independent experts. The highest ranked companies from remote assessment will be invited to pitch in front of a jury of investors and business experts during a pitching week set for 19 to 23 January 2026. Final decisions on which companies will receive funding are expected by the end of February 2026. Companies selected for equity support will be handed to the EIC Fund for detailed investment decision making and due diligence.
| Step | Timing | Purpose |
| Remote evaluation by experts | October to January (ongoing) | Scoring and ranking of full proposals |
| Pitching week | 19 to 23 January 2026 | Shortlisted companies pitch to a jury |
| Final funding decisions | End of February 2026 | Grant and equity awards announced |
| EIC Fund investment decisions | After selection | Due diligence and co investment decisions for equity component |
| 2026 EIC work programme adoption | Expected beginning of November 2025 | Will set new Accelerator full application dates for 2026 |
Concepts to know
What the headline figures reveal and what they do not
The raw numbers make two things plain. First, demand for deep tech growth capital in Europe is strong and applicants are seeking not only grants but also equity. Second, applications remain concentrated in a few countries. The top three sending the highest numbers of applicants were Germany, Spain and France. That pattern mirrors broader disparities in venture financing and ecosystem maturity across member states. The EIC has long sought to rebalance geographic distribution but bottlenecks remain.
The announcement does not reveal the expected success rate for this cut-off or the size distribution of requested amounts. Historically the EIC Accelerator has been highly competitive and overall success rates have been low compared with the number of applicants. Observers should therefore expect most applications to be declined or deferred. For companies shortlisted for equity, the EIC Fund’s further assessment can also change outcomes from the initial selection.
Implications and cautions for policymakers and applicants
High take up of blended packages signals a persistent gap in risk capital for European deep tech. That is likely to keep pressure on the EIC Fund and on public co investment budgets. Policymakers should watch whether the Fund can keep pace with demand without diluting due diligence standards. The bottleneck between selection and final investment is not only procedural but also practical. Finding co investors and completing valuation and legal steps can take months.
Geographic concentration of applications in a few countries highlights the uneven distribution of venture ecosystems and accelerator support in the EU. The presence of 12 widening countries among the 32 represented is positive for inclusion but the announcement does not state how many successful applicants will come from those countries.
Practical notes for applicants and potential applicants
Wider context: why this matters for Europe’s innovation strategy
The EIC Accelerator is one of the European Union’s flagship instruments to push early stage deep tech companies toward scale up. Strong interest in the programme underscores continuing demand for mission oriented public support in sectors where private markets under provide capital. At the same time the data show persistent structural challenges. Funding remains concentrated in stronger ecosystems and the pipeline of companies seeking public equity will require an effective investment arm to convert selections into real capital. The forthcoming 2026 EIC work programme, expected to be adopted at the beginning of November 2025, will be important to watch for changes in priorities funding envelopes and administrative adjustments intended to address these persistent frictions.
The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency authored the data release. Independent experts will conduct the evaluations and the EIC Fund will make final investment decisions for equity awards. Observers should track the selection to award conversion rates and the geographic and gender distribution of actual awards to judge whether the announced numbers translate into equitable access to finance across the EU.